Ryan Getzlaf

Getzlaf capped off the regular season with the most goals (31) and the second-most points (87) of any season of his career, and displayed impressive resiliency after taking a puck to the face in the playoffs. While he suffered multiple injuries in the postseason, he looks to...

Getzlaf finished off 2012-2013 tied for the 10th most points in the NHL with 49 in 44 games despite struggling late in the year with an ankle injury. He is one of just a dozen or so true, top-line centermen in the NHL and a fantasy superstar. Draft him accordingly -- he could net you 90-plus points this season. And the next. And the ... you get the point.

2012-13

There were lots of rumors -- none proven, of course -- that Getzlaf was a little "high maintenance" last season and that was the reason for his stunning offensive collapse. We don't know and we don't care because we operate on facts. So here's what we do know. Getzlaf is arguably one the best centers in the entire league -- he has the complete package of a true number one center. True, his attitude and approach hasn't been great (that kneeing infraction at the most recent World Championships in Helsinki was flat-out ugly; his Patrick Kane-like antics in that city's nightclubs weren't a whole lot better.) But we're not ready to declare him a declining asset just yet -- he's just 27 and entering his prime as a hockey player. There could be a big rebound coming in his first full year under renowned players' coach Bruce Boudreau. A point-per-game and a top-five assist finish could be looming. It's a contract year, after all -- that's all the motivation he'll need.

2011-12

Getzlaf is a talented center capable of being a 90-point scorer in the league. With his impressive 19-57-76 line from last year, Getzlaf is one of the more productive fantasy pivots. His numbers are even more striking considering he has missed an average of 15 games the past two seasons due to injury. Getzlaf will enter the 2011-2012 campaign healthy and will look to put the injury worries to rest. He has averaged 79.5 points over the last four seasons and should remain a top-tier option at his position centering a line with sniper Bobby Ryan. The Ducks have the potential to rack up points at an dizzying pace and Getzlaf figures to be a main catalyst of its success.

2010-11

When Getzlaf entered the league, he increased his point totals in each of his first four years. Last season was a different story. Because of injury or team dynamics, Getzlaf was well off his pace in 2009-10 and never really dominated his position as he had in previous years. A healthy Getzlaf in 2010-11 will again be a different story. Reports are that he has made a full recovery from his ankle injury and by possibly adding the "C" to his jersey, he could spur the production numbers higher. Provided that he stays healthy, a 100-point season is well within his grasp.

2009-10

Getzlaf could be the next superstar in the NHL. He scored 25 goals and added 66 assists in 2008-09 and will look to expand on those numbers this season. Now Getzlaf did have surgery this offseason to repair an abdominal tear and will miss most of training camp, but as of now he is still on schedule to be ready to play game one of the regular season. Bottom line, Getzlaf should not last past the second round of most fantasy drafts.

2008-09

Getzlaf made the leap from rising star to premier pivot last season, setting career-best marks across the board including 82 points (24 G, 58 A) over 77 games and 36 points (4 G, 32 A) on the power play. Firmly entrenched as the Ducks' top-line center, Getzlaf will continue to skate with Corey Perry and Chris Kunitz this season and it's possible that he'll get an upgrade to Teemu Selanne at some point, provided that the Ducks are able to squeeze him in under the salary cap. His physical style of play meshes perfectly with head coach Randy Carlyle's philosophy, while also making him an all-around contributor rather than a soft, offense-only playmaker. With an excellent all-around game and plenty of ice time with the man advantage, Getzlaf should now be considered a top-10 fantasy center.

2007-08

Getzlaf had a great year in his first full NHL season. As a 22-year-old rookie, he had 25 goals and 33 assists, while playing in all 82 regular-season games. He really heated up in the postseason, tallying seven goals and 10 assists in 21 playoff games. If he's able to leapfrog Andy McDonald and center the Ducks' top line, Getzlaf's production should improve into the 70-point range this season.

2006-07

Getzlaf made the most of his opportunities in the 57 games he played as a rookie in '05-06, finishing the year with 14-25-39 with 10 of those goals coming on the power play. It looks as though he'll skate on the third line this season with a 50-point campaign within reach.

2005-06

Although he may not make the team this season, Getzlaf has immense talent and could become a serious fantasy factor in the coming years. While the Ducks love his potential, what Getzlaf brings to the NHL is his ability to score from anywhere on the ice. Even if he doesn't make the squad, keep Getzlaf on your radar for coming seasons.